Tag: hilton

Orlando Florida Hotel: Doubletree at Sea World Review!

by Heather Anne • March 24, 2021

Take a video tour!

Orlando, Florida Hotel: First Impressions

Looking for an Orlando, Florida hotel? The Hilton Doubletree Sea World makes a great first impression! Not surprisingly, the first thing I noticed was the location, mere steps away from the Sea World amusement park. There’s even a free shuttle from the hotel. And this hotel offers additional perks such as park discounts. But I’ll discuss Sea World and other Orlando sights in another post. As a resort, this hotel offers many activities right on-site for those who don’t want to brave the crowds of the theme parks nearby. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and there are comfortable lounge areas throughout to catch some rays. It’s a great way to relax after an exhausting day at the parks or touring around town!

Comfortable Rooms

The rooms here provide just the rest and recovery Mickey ordered. Anyone who’s ever been to Orlando before knows it can be an exhausting place, between the sun and fun! I was granted an automatic Gold Hilton Honors member upgrade on my room, which was a very pleasant surprise since it doesn’t happen a lot. The room was huge, and decorated in neutral shades. The bed was extremely comfortable, as I’ve become used to at Doubletree properties. The view consisted of windows on two sides overseeing the main pool and what I’d like to call “restaurant row,” a grouping of various restaurant outlets lined up across the street. I was provided a flat screen TV, basic coffee maker, and some premium toiletries in the bathroom. I felt well-taken care of and cozy.

Fun in the Sun

There are two large pools at the Doubletree, great for splashing and sunbathing. The main pool boasts a waterfall feature, and is adjacent to an outdoor tiki bar called the “Barefoot Bar.” I partook in the appetizers and cocktails at the bar and was very satisfied with the quality. There are a lot of tropical-themed options on the menu. It’s a great place to mingle with other hotel guests and be among other adults in this town that’s a magnet for children. (Don’t get me wrong – I like children too. I had two sets of twins of my own. But sometimes you just need a break!) I found both the staff and other hotel guests friendly and inviting here.

More Amenities

Beyond the pools and lounging areas, there are many other playful options. Huts, like the ones in the photo below, house ping pong tables, pool tables, foosball, and more! There’s also mini golf. For those more serious-minded, there’s a full-service indoor gym, shops, and a second bar in the hotel lobby. For a full overview of all this hotel has to offer, watch my video tour on YouTube at the top of this post! And I can’t overlook what just may be everyone’s favorite – fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies are available in the lobby every afternoon! (Tip: YES you can request a couple extra!)

Verdict

Overall, I was pleased with my experience at this hotel. The accommodations were comfortable, the activities were ample, the grounds were gorgeous, and the restaurants served scrumptious meals. Still, it wasn’t a flawless experience. I accidentally turned my driver’s license in with the key card sleeve at the front desk and they refused to look for it. So I had to get a replacement driver’s license (big hassle). Also, the maid service in my room was lacking (she no-showed us daily). I mentioned it to a manager and he made up for that issue to my satisfaction with a gift certificate to one of the restaurants. Despite these couple of issues, given the responsiveness of management and quality of accommodations, I would both stay here again and recommend it to others.

Conclusion and Announcement

Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for an Orlando, Florida hotel the Doubletree is worth considering. Meanwhile, I have an announcement! I’m pleased to announce that Ultimate Travel Adventures is now on Ko-Fi! Ko-Fi is a virtual tip jar for creators. On my page you can contribute as little as $1, or more if you choose. If you enjoyed this post, I hope you’ll visit me on Ko-Fi by clicking here or the button below. Interested in reading another blog post? How about checking out my post on Cocoa Beach, Florida here? I hope you’ll come along for my next adventure!

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Hotel Review

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review

by Heather Anne • September 22, 2020

Lots to see in Jacksonville, Florida

Before I get to the Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review, I want to mention that Jacksonville, Florida is a great home base for exploring the coast of North Florida. There’s a lot to do in town. You could head for the city’s pristine beaches. Another option would be to take a walk on the wild side and visit Catty Shack Ranch, a conservation ranch for tigers and other big cats. Or immerse yourself in culture at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, with its masterful nature art collection and European-inspired gardens.

St. Augustine Day Trip

In the mood for a little road trip? Whisk off to St. Augustine for the day to tour the “oldest city in the U.S.” The oldest masonry fort in the States is here, along with a historic lighthouse, pirate and treasure museum, and old town abundant with colonial architecture. And one of the biggest draws is a chance to get revived and renewed at the fountain of youth! St. Augustine is a 45 minute drive from Jacksonville and ideal day trip.

Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville JTB/Deerwood Park

The Hilton Garden Inn, Jacksonville at Deerwood Park is not very convenient to downtown, and you’ll probably want to have a car to get around. It’s a nice, peaceful residential neighborhood, though, in the University district. It’s a comfortable and inviting hotel, and I look forward to returning again and again. This is a great place to stop on a road trip from more northern states into Florida, here on I-95 in Jacksonville, not too far from the Georgia border. Please note: this post is NOT sponsored by Hilton, and includes my honest opinions.

The Opulent Lobby

The first thing you notice about the Hilton Garden Inn, Jacksonville is the opulent lobby. It has very high ceilings, lots of plush, cozy furniture, plenty of plants, and the scent of warm, fresh-baked cookies! Water infused with citrus fruits, tea, and coffee are available in the lobby at certain times of day, too. The breakfast area is here, where you can partake in delicious, made-to-order breakfast specialties. (There is a charge unless you are a Hilton Honors Gold member, who can enjoy a free breakfast for themselves and a guest.)

Pool and other Public Areas

The Pool area is a great place to lounge out and relax! In addition to many lounge chairs and table seating, theres a jacuzzi to indulge in. Due to its northern location in Florida, Jacksonville does tend to get a little chilly in the Spring and Fall, and this is a great option when the pool is a little too cool! In addition to the beautiful lobby and pool area, there’s also a large gym. You can use both cardio machines, like treadmills and cycles, and strength training equipment, like benches and weights. Finally, also good for those chillier Fall evenings, there’s a fire pit patio with comfy couches. This also serves as the smoking area, and there are a couple of tables if you prefer to have your breakfast alfresco.

Comfortable Guest Rooms

Consistent with the Hilton Garden Inn brand, the room was very nicely furnished and well-decorated. The bed was very comfortable. A Keurig coffee machine, microwave, and refrigerator were available in the room. (These particularly came in handy with our delectable leftovers from the brewery next door – which I’ll delve into next!) The photo above shows a room with two beds; rooms with one king bed are also available. The room was modern and trendy, and the big, flat-screen TV was nice for chilling out after a long day of exhausting exploring!

Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery

Probably my favorite feature of this particular hotel is something off-property. The Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville JTB/Deerwood Park shares a parking lot with the Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery. When I noticed how popular the place was with locals, I had a feeling it was going to be great. And it is! They brew their own beer on-site, and it’s outstanding! I ordered a flight of beers so I could find my favorite to follow-up with. And then my plate arrived – with a very generous portion of chiles relleno, one of the many excellent options on the menu. Most of their offerings fall into the bar food and tex mex categories. The quality was excellent, and I’ve longed to return ever since. I keep hoping they will open another location closer to my neck of the woods in Tampa!

Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review

If you want to see more of this Jacksonville Florida Hotel Review, I filmed a complete video tour that you can view on the Ultimate Travel Adventures YouTube channel here:

And if you’re touring around North Florida, you may want to check out my blog post on Cocoa Beach here:

https://atomic-temporary-140334132.wpcomstaging.com/2019/01/21/winter-in-cocoa-beach-florida/

And if you’re interested in learning more about this hotel, you can view their official site here (this is NOT an affiliate link):

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/jaxdpgi-hilton-garden-inn-jacksonville-jtb-deerwood-park/

Uncategorized

Tale of Two Hotels: New York City Edition

by Heather Anne • May 19, 2020

Homewood Suites Lobby

On my last visit to New York I stayed at two hotels, one downtown (Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South in Manhattan), and one easily accessible to downtown in the suburbs (Homewood Suites Edgewater-NYC Area in New Jersey). Depending on your priorities, one or the other may be more suitable for you, but either one is a great choice!

Hilton Garden Inn Guestroom

The Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South is a stone’s throw from the Port Authority, and very centrally located to all of the action. It’s a short walk to the nearest subway, double decker bus stop, Theater District, and heart of Times Square. The neighborhood is abundant with great restaurants in all price ranges, and felt safe to traverse by night or day. The staff was professional and friendly. The room was small, but comfortable.

Hilton Garden Inn View from the Balcony

I was fortunate to get one of only two rooms in the hotel with a balcony, where I enjoyed soaking in the city sights and sounds bird-like from my high perch. The refrigerator was smaller than usual for a Hilton room – rather than “dormitory” size it was very narrow. Normal size water bottles or soda cans wouldn’t fit – but the mini size soda you can sometimes find in the store would have. Not a suitable fridge for dining leftovers, either. Fortunately (or unfortunately!) the weather was cold in March and I used the balcony as a fridge…

The bath was trendy, and shower provided good water pressure and temperature. There’s an ample closet, as well as a desk for working. I had a great nights’ sleep on the very cozy bed.

Hilton Garden Inn Bed

Breakfast at the Garden Inn brand of Hilton is available but there is an extra charge if you are not gold level or higher in their rewards program. But if you are gold, or pay, it’s made to order fresh and delicious. The menu was not as extensive as I’m used to, but that may have been due to the timing (pre/early COVID in mid-March).

There’s no parking on-site, but there is a public parking garage across the street charging $50 per night. Room rates vary depending on your timing… but usually run relatively steep due to the incredible central location in Manhattan. If location is your top priority, I highly recommend this hotel. If price is your highest priority, I suggest another property…

Homewood Suites Living Room

The Homewood Suites Edgewater-NYC Area in Edgewater, New Jersey may not be in Manhattan, but it’s extremely convenient to it for prices usually well below what you’ll pay in Manhattan. It’s also situated in a charming neighborhood of its own, next to lots of interesting shops and restaurants along a pedestrian boulevard.

Homewood Suites Kitchen

Like other properties in the Homewood Suites brand, this hotel is all suites. Each room has a full kitchen (full size fridge, small stove, microwave, sink, dining table, and dishes and utensils). There are also separate lounge and bedroom areas, and an extra-spacious bathroom. There’s two televisions – one in the “living” room and another in the bedroom. Consistent with other hotels under the Hilton umbrella, the bed, furnishings, and showers are very accommodating here.

Homewood Suites Bedroom

Some rooms have New York City views – in my opinion worth the splurge. Breakfast is free for all and consists of a small buffet. Socials are held in the evenings on some days of the week where snacks, beer, and wine are offered. Parking here is free for hotel guests. As for the location – if you want to get into downtown Manhattan it’s no problem. There’s a local bus that picks up across the street that goes straight to the Port Authority in the Times Square area. The ride takes about 10 minutes, and only costs a few dollars each way (seniors also get a discount). I suggest buying a roundtrip ticket when you board in New Jersey – it’s easier than waiting and buying a return ticket at the station when you’re ready to return.

Homewood Suites View from the Room

Both of these hotels are great options if you visit New York City. For a full tour of each, view my YouTube video here:

Hotel Review

New York City Hotels: Two Tours

by Heather Anne • May 19, 2020

Homewood Suites Edgewater-NYC Area Lobby

A Tale of Two New York City Hotels

New York City hotels are abundant. How do you find a good one? I have two recommendations, one downtown and another on the outskirts. On my last visit to New York I stayed at two hotels, one downtown (Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South in Manhattan), and one easily accessible to downtown in the suburbs (Homewood Suites Edgewater-NYC Area in New Jersey). Depending on your priorities, one or the other may be more suitable for you, but either one is a great choice!

Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South Exterior

Hilton Garden Inn Times Square South

Views from Hilton Garden Inn Balcony

The bath was trendy, and shower provided good water pressure and temperature. There’s an ample closet, as well as a desk for working. I had a great nights’ sleep on the very cozy bed.

Hilton Garden Inn Guestroom

Amenities

Homewood Suites Living Room

Homewood Suites Edgewater-NYC Area

Homewood Suites Kitchen

Homewood Suites Bedroom

Homewood Suites View

More on New York City Hotels, and More!

Thanks for reading my review of New York City hotels! Both of these options are great places to stay if you visit New York City. If you’re willing to pay more, the Hilton Garden Inn can’t be beat for location convenience, but for a more-budget friendly option easily accessible by bus to downtown, try the Homewood Suites! For a full visual tour of each, view my YouTube video here: